Talking about The International Year Of Biodiversity in the previous post ... (http://ecoiselin.blogspot.com/2010/11/eco-in-denmark-art-and-ecology-its.html), I came to think of diversity of other kinds like food, and I found some pictures from my stay in Germany earlier in which they had these huge shops and markets with ecological and raw food, almost as if it was more commercial than Wal*Mart (which in no doubt will happen in few years time), and which probably is the case in Germany. This multiple shop called BioMarkt had the most varied organic food I have ever seen in a big city, even with stairs to second floor, and straight across the street to my hotel even better :)
All organic, two floors, food even in the escalator
When entering the train to say goodbye to Copenhagen some week ago, I passed the ambitious art installation at Kongens Nytorv in the middle of city centre - marking the 2010 International Year Of Biodiversity.
This was yet again an art installation about ecology, and it got to my mind how important ART can play a role for the whole concept of making 'ecology' more public: When there is no words or too much words to describe today's situation for people to get into the real feel of it, or when you feel pushed to understand something you don't and what you've got left is to listen to the heart, art can be the way to give you not the answer, but to inspire your mind to search for your own answer, in the state where you let go of the ego waiste and let yourself into the openness that is of art. The question: What did you feel when looking at this painting or film? Either way it moves you.
The Living Facade
The art project called The Living Facade, illustrates all the diversity of botanity, by installing seasonal plants from Scandinavian nature, directly into a modern, urban city building. This is practically nature and diversity coming to the city again. So back to art and ecology, Denmark here wants the city to bloom, just like Europe is so colorful with all the diversity in both culture and management. We need to picture this, also in nature, and into the architecture of course. Making similar minimalism in Scandinavia all empty of plants, seems unnatural to the different shades of our otherwise attitude.
One of the signs says, and here comes something everyone should absolutely know: "What is biodiversity? Life on earth has unfolded in countless diversity of genes, species, habitats and ecosystems. This biodiversity provides for our basic needs, such as food, water and clean air, but also delivers the resources that drive our economies. On the lighter side of life, biodiversity provides opportunities for recreation and socialising."
And further: "Despite its fundamental importance to human well-being, population growth and unsustainable consumption of natural resources are putting increasing pressure on the richness of life. Biodiversity is being lost at an alarming rate both globally and in Europe.
To raise public awareness about biodiversity, in 1993 the United Nations proclaimed 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity. Most recently it designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity."
In Norway, we have loads of ecological innovation in both technology, architecture, recycling and education. But I´d say the position where we have the most universal agreements with the rest of this green world, is in the world of art! At least there is one area where we all agree on what is the most important: Having dreams. This past week, there has been running an exhibition called "Gentle Actions" at the Artist Center. I was there for two days of this week, mainly to get more contacts for my own plans in the collaboration field, but also to view some of its installations and films, like this recommended "Garbage Dreams" about western trash companies recycling 25 perscent destroying a people movement of a genius 80 percent recycling system in the poor areas of Cairo :
The trip to this exhibition was well worth it, as the non-profit Green Drinks-organization made people gather just to talk randomly about environment as we discovered as soon as many people join together, less people are avoiding to not do something. There was a speaker from the University of Oslo, saying something very important to us: When the environment movements fragments into different directions, one of the most common fears is that the future tomorrow might not be here. While she was stating, the future of tomorrow is NOT created yet. We have to remember, that the future is how we DECIDE. We are designing it, every moment.
The future is not built, nor can be predicted in detail, as it depends on how we act , from now ON. And upon action, one can build what is not yet built. So therefor she was calming down a fact we all worry about: The way we destroy our planet or the way we act today. It does not necessarily mean that we can not change it. Because we know our faults. And it is much easier to turn around when you know, than if you don't. We are somewhat lucky, because especially the internet, and the worldwide books and education and knowledge, has taught us something useful. We can design. We often forget that we are creators. Like this artist group. We design, every new change. There is nothing that we can not do.
Today, I watched an imported popular science-program on national TV about finding intelligent life on other planets (still running with same popularity with the same questionmarks since the first black 'n white-shows about green men in the late 60s), and I payed much attention until the stupid last comment at the end of it: "And when we find Sigma"..finally at the end of planet searches similar to Earth.."..in 2040, we can then send a lazer searching for industrial garbage surrounding its atmosphere...", and listen..this is even more stupid: "..which will give us signs about INTELLIGENT life on another planet maybe highly more developed than what we are today"...... yea. As if industrial garbage in space is what all planet intelligent creatures figure out is the one way out. The one way to developement, as we have learned from the very start of our western civilization only pushing us further to its limit. Aaargh... Forget it, Earth, you'll never find life on other planets searching like you do.
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